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Celebrate the Seventieth Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz with sheet music!

Posted on Sep 23, 2009 by Monica.

Based on a book entitled The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the stunning musical The Wizard of Oz was produced seventy years ago today. Historically, the 1939 movie production starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger is considered one of the greatest films of all time and has inspired musicals like The Wiz and Wicked. Both the film production and the musical soundtrack have a rich history filled with interesting trivia. Did you know that the Tin Man’s makeup was toxic? Or how about the fact that Shirley Temple was also considered for the lead of Dorothy?

Musicnotes.com is thrilled to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the Wizard of Oz by featuring beautifully-arranged sheet music and a gorgeous songbook. We’ve just received a brand new sheet music book entitled The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Deluxe Songbook from Alfred Music Publishing. This full color book marks the first time some songs from The Wizard of Oz sheet music have been published in over a century. Arranged and transcribed by Tod Edmonson and Ethan Neuburg, you’ll find movie stills, two songs from the 1903 Broadway musical production of The Wizard of Oz that include lyrics by original Oz author L. Frank Baum, biographies, fact-filled essays and more!

Cary Ginell, who works for Alfred Music Publishing, wrote the history essay for the newly published sheet music book. Not only is he a music historian, musician and author of five books on American music, he has a deep love of music that shines through his writing. We would like to extend our thanks to Cary and all the folks over at Alfred for sharing the news with us about this collector’s item, and offer our congratulations on a beautiful book. Here are a few more points we’d like to share about this sheet music book:

For the first time, all the songs from The Wizard of Oz are presented in their original keys.
Songs are newly arranged from rare M-G-M studio manuscripts & the original motion picture soundtrack.
Includes biographies of songwriters Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, as well as music director/conductor Herbert Stothart.
The “Munchkinland Musical Sequence,” is presented for the first time as it appears in the film: as an uninterrupted operetta, with all songs, dialog, and themes included.
Music is included for “The Jitterbug,” a rare song that was deleted from the original film.

In addition to this collector’s item, we also offer the songs through our digital sheet music format.

The Wizard of Oz Digital Sheet Music

For those of you who enjoy downloading sheet music from our site, we also offer many of these songs as a digital sheet music download. If you’re a big fan of The Wizard of Oz, you can also check out our selection of The Wiz sheet music and Wicked sheet music, too.

Here’s a list of some signature song titles from The Wizard of Oz that we recommend:

We’re Off to See the Wizard
If I Only Had a Heart
Over the Rainbow named “Song of the Century” by the RIAA!
Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead
The Lollipop Guild
If I Only Had a Brain
If I Only Had the Nerve
The Merry Old Land of Oz

Be sure to place your order today for this spectacular collection of sheet music from The Wizard of Oz. We hope you take the time to watch the film or read the books, too!

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Mark the Anniversary of WWII with Music

Posted on Sep 01, 2009 by Monica.

WW II soldiers Today marks the seventieth anniversary of the beginning of World War II. Even though the 1940s were a tragic time in the world’s history, this was also a very important period for music, too. Popular songs were used to boost morale and entertain troops, but they were also written to fill the hearts of those waiting at home as well.

Performed by big bands, orchestras and solo artists, there are many memorable songs from the 1940s that continue to resonate through the years. For example, there are quite a few songs from the Irving Berlin sheet music repertoire from this period, as well as several more from the collection of sheet music for songs by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.

In addition to music written in this era, there is no shortage of powerful movie scores and songs for films set during this time period. Sheet music for Schindler’s List and the collection of songs from the Sound of Music are just two examples, but there are several others.

Here are some popular songs from this time period that we recommend:

If you haven’t already, be sure to read Before You Go a Patriotic Song’s Story, for a moving story behind a song written to honor veterans from WWII and other wars.

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Download “(I’ll be With You) In Apple Blossom Time” for Free!

Posted on Mar 31, 2009 by Monica.

apple-blossom Composed by Fleeson and Von Tilzer, this song was first performed in the 1920s. (I’ll be With You) In Apple Blossom Time is a perfect wedding song for Spring. Our piano sheet music version contains a full set of lyrics with a voice solo line. The guitar tab version of the song primarily focuses on the main chorus of the song, and is great for beginning guitarists.

Although this song originated in the 1920s, the most popular version was performed by “The Andrews Sisters” during WWII. The song has been recorded by a number of artists ncluding Nat King Cole, Barry Manilow, The Platters, Jo Stafford, Wayne Newton and several others.

This song is now available for free through April 30th through our free sheet music download page, for guitarists, vocalists and pianists. Remember, if you’re curious about Guitar Guru, you can try the software with your free Guitar Guru session, too!

Here are the lyrics included with the piano/vocal (aka the Singer Pro) edition of the free sheet music! Remember, you can download your copy all throughout the month of April!

Lyrics to (I’ll be With You) in Apple Blossom Time

First Verse

I’m writing you dear,
Just to tell you
In September, you remember
‘Neath the old apple tree
You whispered to me
When it blossomed again, you’d be mine.

I’ve waited until I could claim you,
I hope I’ve not waited in vain.
For when it’s spring in the valley,
I’m coming my sweetheart again!

Chorus:

I’ll be with you in apple blossom time,
I’ll be with you to change your name to mine.

One day in May I’ll come and say,
“Happy the bride the sun shines on today!”

What a wonderful wedding there will be,
What a wonderful day for you and me!
Church bells will chime
You will be mine,
in apple blossom time.

Second Verse

I hope that you meant
what you promised
in September, you remember
and I’ve thought of the day
I’d take you away
just to have and to hold, for my own.

It’s such a long time since you kissed me
and told me that you would be true
but when the orchard is blooming
my sweetheart I’m coming to you.

Chorus:

I’ll be with you in apple blossom time,
I’ll be with you to change your name to mine.

One day in May I’ll come and say,
“Happy the bride the sun shines on today!”

What a wonderful wedding there will be,
What a wonderful day for you and me!
Church bells will chime
You will be mine,
in apple blossom time./ul>

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Read about the Song History behind “Monster Mash”

Posted on Jan 19, 2009 by Monica.

Musicnotes.com is proud to feature an article about the song “Monster Mash.” This brilliantly-written article has been brought to you by the HFA, and has been reprinted with permission. For more about the HFA, be sure to visit the HFA website.

Behind the Song: “Monster Mash” – Bobby “Boris” Pickett and Lenny Capizzi

Written by David Schneider, HFA Publisher Services Agent

For almost 50 years, as Halloween season rolls around, a quirky, infectious tune starts pulsating through sound-systems across the country. “Monster Mash” first topped the charts on October 20, 1962, and it has remained a favorite ever since. The enduring appeal of the song can be attributed not only to a catchy melody and charmingly theatrical lyrics, but also to a sharp publishing acumen strengthened by the belief that a “novelty” song can transcend the cultural tastes of its time.

Bobby “Boris” Pickett launched his ghoulish legacy on a whim one night by suddenly imitating the voice of Frankenstein actor Boris Karloff onstage. Inspired by the audience’s enthusiastic reception as well bandmate Lenny Capizzi’s encouragement, Pickett tweaked the narrative and, along with Capizzi, fashioned it in the bouncy “mash potato” style that was popular at the time. The track was recorded in one take by a band calling themselves “The Cryptkickers,” which included Gary Paxton, a guitarist who had experienced his own novelty hit with “Alley Oop” in 1957. Paxton pitched the final cut to a several labels. No one was interested, so he pressed the record himself and started taking it directly to radio stations — and started his kooky Halloween legacy.

“Monster Mash” charted in the Billboard top 10 twice more in 1970 and 1973, and inspired dozens of covers, parodies, adaptations, and spin-offs. The song is currently published by Si Songs and the Estate of Lenny Capizzi. Neil Gillis, President of Si Songs, explains, “We definitely see it as an evergreen. The usages are amazing It’s clearly as much of an iconic song as any.” Not only has “Monster Mash” been covered by a diverse bevy of artists ranging from The Misfits to The Beach Boys, but it has become even more firmly embedded in pop culture consciousness through placements in Happy Days, Cheers, and The Simpsons. It has even been performed on the Jimmy Kimmel Show as a costumed duet of Bobby Brown and Mike Tyson. It’s remarkable that a song which so powerfully recalls the signature style of specific era has grown to transcend every demographic in American culture for multiple generations. As Gillis notes, “It’s like an American Songbook song, a gift that keeps on giving. It will last forever.”

During his lifetime, Pickett, who passed away last year, was as instrumental as his publishers in nourishing the longevity of his creation. He released the Christmas-themed “Monsters’ Holiday” in 1962 as well as “Monster’s Rap” in 1985, which expanded upon the monster’s story in the newly popularized hip-hop style. In 1995 he starred in Monster Mash: The Movie, and in 2005 he adapted the idea for a derivative work called “Climate Mash” designed to educate listeners about the issue of global warming. Gillis reports that Si Songs is currently negotiating a line of “Monster Mash”-inspired, Halloween-themed toys, and has also entered into an exclusive deal with a film company to produce an animated film featuring characters from the song. “Monster Mash” has gone from novelty to classic, and it’s a sure bet that it will remain the theme for Halloween as long as stores are stocking candy.

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Download Free Sheet Music for “Hail to the Chief”

Posted on Dec 31, 2008 by Monica.

This month’s free sheet music download is none other than “Hail to the Chief.” This song holds a special patriotic significance for U.S. citizens, as “Hail to the Chief” is played to usher in a new president to the Oval Office.

History of Hail to the Chief

Did you know that the original lyrics for “Hail to the Chief” are based on a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott written in 1810? (A narrative poem is a poem that tells a story, like a ballad or an epic poem.) The narrative poem that inspired the song “Hail to the Chief” was written in three sections by Sir Walter Scott, a poet from Edinburgh, about the conflict between King James the Fifth and a powerful Scottish clan named Douglas. If you’re interested in reading the poem, you can read Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott at The Literature Network.

Entitled “The Lady of the Lake,” this poem became so popular it influenced other musical works as well. Rossini wrote an opera dubbed “La Donna del Lago” (which is Italian for the phrase The Lady of the Lake) and a German translation of the poem was set to music by Franz Schubert. The third movement of Schubert’s work, “Ellens dritter Gesang,” was subsequently translated to Latin and became widely popular. You may recognize Ellens dritter Gesang’s other name, the song is more commonly known as “Ave Maria.” Like “Hail to the Chief,” there have also been variations of lyrics set to Schubert’s music as well, but the original lyrics were set to Sir Walter Scott’s poem.

Written as a march, “Hail to the Chief” first incorporated lyrics from the narrative poem around 1812. The widely-popular lyrics were set to music by an English songwriter named James Sanderson for a London musical according to the History News Network. “Hail to the Chief” originally referred to a scottish chieftain, featured in the poem, which is why this song was originally known by another name — “Wreaths for the Chieftain.”

According to an article published by John Hopkins University about the history of Hail to the Chief, the first President to be ushered in by this song was Andrew Jackson.

Hail to the Chief was first associated with a Chief Executive on February 22, 1815, when it was played (under the title Wreaths for the Chieftain) to honor both the belated George Washington and the end of the War of 1812. Andrew Jackson was the first living president to be personally honored by Hail to the Chief, on January 9, 1829. The tune was among a number of pieces played for Martin Van Buren’s inauguration ceremony on March 4, 1837, but it was Julia Tyler, the wife of President John Tyler, who first requested that the tune be played specifically to announce the President’s arrival.–SOURCE: Hail to the Chief: A Musical Tour Excerpted from Lester S. Levy’s Lectures

The lyrics evolved to fit the Presidential march now played for the United States Presidential inaugurations. What are now considered “traditional” lyrics for “Hail to the Chief” are rarely sung, and our research didn’t turn up much information about these lyrics that are said to be written by Albert Gamse per Wikipedia.

Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all.
Hail to the Chief, as we pledge cooperation
In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call.
Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander,
This you will do, that’s our strong, firm belief.
Hail to the one we selected as commander,
Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!

Although the song “Hail to the Chief” wasn’t officially part of the musical tribute for a U.S. president until 1954, it has a long history that started across the Atlantic with a popular poem.

We invite you to download “Hail to the Chief” for this month’s free sheet music download of the month in a guitar tab or Guitar Guru format. The song is also available in piano sheet music as well.

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Our Story Behind Konstantine by Andrew McMahon from Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin

Posted on Nov 12, 2008 by Monica.

Every song has a story and this particular song, Konstantine, is very special to all of us here at Musicnotes.com for many reasons. For me, this song represents a thing of beauty for Musicnotes.com because Konstantine represents an unusual endeavor based on our customer requests and the popularity of this song.

While it’s no secret that we here at Musicnotes.com love bringing our customers digital sheet music, this particular piece of sheet music (called a “single sheet” in industry terms) is not just digital. The sheet music for Konstantine is also something we published in print ourselves, in conjunction with the band. Not only did we print the sheet music unbound on archival quality paper, but we were able to design the cover and the sheet music layout which was a rare treat for us.

While this may not sound very glamorous to non-music lovers, it was a very exciting endeavor for us because we really got into all nineteen pages of sheet music for this song ensuring that the arrangement was perfect for a singer and a piano accompaniment. (What we call the “Pro” edition of sheet music.) It might be hard to tell from this image, but the single sheet for Konstantine was printed with a dark, chocolate brown cover and embossed lettering to match the vanilla-colored paper within. Truly a collector’s item, this song represents everything that we love here at Musicnotes.com — wonderful songwriters and devoted music lovers everywhere.

The song Konstantine from Something Corporate has affected us on a creative level, but also on a “music lovers” level as well. Sometimes, our customers point out wonderful music to us that we instantly fall in love with and this is definitely one of those songs. Konstantine is a song that fans of Andrew McMahon’s music still talk about and continue to be inspired by.
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